Choosing the right PROBIOTIC FOR SKIN HEALTH

CHECK INGREDIENTS

When it comes to topical probiotics, Dr Rogers recommends always doing your due diligence to ensure the ingredients are well studied, effective and safe.

RESEARCH THE STRAIN OF PROBIOTICS

Dr Rodney suggests checking the specific strain of probiotics in a product before buying it to make sure it’s targeting what you’re looking for. “To help your selection, choose a specific issue you’re trying to address and select a probiotic that’s been shown to assist with this,” she says. Nutrition expert Dr Jennifer Martin-Biggers notes that different companies create specific strains, and you can find clinical studies to show if that probiotic has proven clinical benefits or not.

VET THE BRAND Dr MartinBiggers encourages weighing up different brands before making a purchase. Most big probiotic names will include research on their websites to back up any claims being made about a product. Additionally, make sure they are transparent on the label about the specific probiotic colony and the shelf life.

CUT DOWN ON SKINCARE

There’s no need to buy new creams, serums and sprays every time you have a skin issue. “Too much skincare, no matter its probiotic nature, still irritates the skin, changing the skin’s pH and the happy environment your biome lives in,” Dr Rogers explains. Instead, choose a few well-formulated products to support healthy skin and check in with your dermatologist for more specific concerns.

GIVE IT TIME Before deciding whether a particular probiotic product is working or not, give it two months of consistent use, says Dr Martin-Biggers. If you’re not seeing improvement by then, try another brand.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET Once you’ve chosen the right probiotic for you, Dr Rodney advises incorporating fibrefilled fruit and vegetables into your diet to ensure the probiotics can grow and show their positive effects.